/
NEIGH
ANALYSli
WILLIAMSTON, NORTH CAROLINA
ABSTRACT
TITLE :
AUTHOR :
SUBJECT:
DATE:
Neighborhood Analysis, Williams ton, N. C.
iamston Planning Board with assistance from the Division of
Community Services, Department of Natural and Economic Resources
An analysis of living and environmental conditions of the
inspection areas within the planning area of the Town of
Wi 1 1 iams ton , N . C .
December 1972
LOCAL
PLANNING
AGENCY :
SOURCE OF
COPIES :
Will iams ton Planning Board
Town Hall
Williamston, No C. 27892
N„ C. Department of Natural and Economic Resources
Division of Community Services
P. 0. Box 27687
Raleigh, North Carolina 27611
HUD
PROJECT
NUMBER :
SERIES
NUMBER :
NUMBER OF
PAGES :
4867
One of Three
95
ABSTRACT: This report is a breakdown of the eight inspection areas of the
Town of Williams ton's planning area. It is an analysis of the
housing conditions, recreation available, areas of crime, disease
and general living conditions of the citizens.
/A
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■
NORTH CAROLINA
_(_
The preparation of this report was financed in part through an
urban planning grant from the Department of Housing and Urban
Development, under the provision of Section 701 of the Housing
Act of 1954, as amended.
PREPARED FOR THE
TOWN OF WILLIAMSTON, NORTH CAROLINA
N. C. Green, Mayor
Town Board of Commissioners
Go W. Corey
Wilber Edwards
G. C. Griffin, Jr.
R. B. Goddard
T. C. Perry
Planning Board
J. E. Griffin, Chairman
J. H. Gurganus
James E. Leathers, Jr,
J. 0. Perry, Jr.
W. E. Ritter
J. B. Godwin, Town Administrator
John T. Boykin, Jr., Administrative Assistant to the
Town Commissioners for Planning and Development
N. C. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL & ECONOMIC RESOURCES
James E, Harrington, Secretary
COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION
Harold E. Strong, Administrator
Mark B. Sullivan, Assistant Administrator
NORTHEASTERN FIELD OFFICE
Thomas B. Richter, Field Office Chief
PROJECT STAFF
Patrick J. Dayson, Project Planner
Marian J. Alligood, Secretary
September 1972
Published April 1973
Price $2.00
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The assistance of two summer interns, students of the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill, accomplished the door to door survey and
gathered the basic data for this report. Without their assistance in the
first draft of the report and assistance furnished to Pitt Technical In-
stitute, Greenville, North Carolina, in placing this information on data
processing, this report could not have been completed in as detailed a form
within the allocated time. The two gentlemen are:
Mr. James W. Cope land Mr. Thomas H. Shepard
407 East High Street 98 Pembroke Circle
Murfreesboro, North Carolina Eden ton, North Carolina
All of the gathered data, over 200,000 items of information, was placed
on data processing by Mrs. Mildred T« McGrath, CDP, her staff and students
at Pitt Technical Institute, Greenville, North Carolina.
All the information for this Neighborhood Analysis has been retained
in the data processing memory bank by Pitt Technical Institute and kept up
to date by making changes to the master copy by checking the records of the
Building Inspector and Housing Authority of Williamston, North Carolina.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
INTRODUCTION 5
PLANNING AREA ANALYSIS 9
GENERAL ANALYSIS OF WILLIAMSTON , N. C. 13
CRIME AND CRIME PREVENTION 19
FIRE PROTECTION 23
EDUCATION 29
PUBLIC WELFARE AND HEALTH 31
THE SURVEY 39
SURVEY FORM 43
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 87
RECOMMENDED AREA TREATMENT BY AREA 93
MAPS
MAP 1 RESISTANCE TO SURVEY- LOW EDUCATION 17
MAP 2 DELINQUENCY AND DISEASE 21
MAP 3 INDUSTRIAL SITES AND FIRE HYDRANTS 25
MAP A TOWN INSPECTION AREAS 41
Tables page 4
TABLES
TABLE 1 FIRE HYDRANTS
TABLE 2 CLASSIFICATION OF FIRES
TABLE 3 FIRE CALLS
TABLE 4 HEALTH INFORMATION
TABLE 5 OCCUPATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE TOTAL AREAS
Area 1
Area 2
Area 3
Area 4
Area 5
Area 6
Area 7
Area 8
Pag
e
23
27
27
32
34-
35
45-
46
50-
51
55-
56
59-
60
64-
65
69-
70
74-
75
78-
79
82-
83
INTRODUCTION
Perhaps it is proper for one to ask the question which has not been
properly answered in the past - Why have we allowed the decay of the beloved
city of Williamston? The answer to the question can be only made by the
citizens of Williamston. What can be done to stop and to reverse this grow-
ing decay is also left up to the populace of Williamston.
The Neighborhood Analysis is a study of Williamston and its exterri-
torial jurisdictional area, the territory that extends approximately one mile
from the city limits. It is done on an area-by-area basis to determine the
nature, extent and causes of substandard living conditions in Williamston.
It involves the cooperation of various city and county agencies in the
accumulation of data, plus a thorough survey based on the interviews of the
residents of Williamston*
The survey, which is the main body of the Neighborhood Analysis ,
asked questions concerning housing conditions, economic conditions, displace-
ment, and military service. The questions were answered on a voluntary
basis. The questions asked were only seldomly not answered. Few problems
arose from this method of a thorough survey rather than the usual sample
survey .
The Neighborhood Analysis is, in summary, a comprehensive study based
on documented data. It is intended that this study will shed light on the
width and depth of deterioration of Williamston and will make realistic
suggestions for corrective measures.
June 5, 1972
TO THE CITIZENS OF WILLIAMSTON , NORTH CAROLINA
As you know, the Williamston Planning Board and other organizations
have been very active over the past several years in making plans for
improvement of your Town.
A few of the projects that have been accomplished and planned for
the future are :
1. The 100 units of P u blic Housing located on East Main Street and
Warren Street,
2. Neighborhood Development Program now beginning on Washington Street,
3. The establishment of the "Williamston Junior Police Club" on the
Jamesville Road,
4. Additions to the town water and sewerage facilities,
5. Beautif ication of the business district for better shopping for the
citizens,
6. A proposed shopping center,
7. Community Centers and home for aged,
8. Better recreation,
In order to continue to receive financial assistance for some programs,
it is necessary to continually up-date information on our Town and the citizens
This is to introduce
Mr. Thomas H. Shepard, Jr. and
Mr. James W. Cope land, Jr.
These two gentlemen are assisting to up-date required information for
Williamston. Please give your time and cooperation.
J. E. Griffin
The Williamston Town Government has responded to the challenge of our
day by mounting ambitious programs to improve the social, economical, and
physical condition for all citizens. Commissioners; your assistance is
appreciated.
N. C. Green
Mayor
HOUSING STRUCTURAL CONDITION
This structural survey is to determine where physical deterioration is
taking place and how it is manifested in the form of tangible deficiencies.
The following will be used for the rating of the structures :
Rating
Good Condition
Fair Condition
Poor Condition
Dilapidated Condition
Description
A sound structure from all appearances. Any
maintenance needed is of a minor nature, such
as those items that need to be done annually.
A sound structure, as above, but minor main-
tenance items have been allowed to build up
for a number of years.
Still a sound structure from outward appearance
but major repairs are indicated, such as porch
rebuilding, new siding, or other repairs that
will involve an expenditure exceeding $500.
Some evidence such as a crumbling foundation,
sagging roof, or building walls - that make
the structure unsound, or in need of major
repairs that would involve an expenditure of
dollars beyond the value of the structure-
(This condition implies that the structure
is virtually unfit for occupancy, or unsound,
or is a major blighting influence on
surrounding structures and property.)
ENVIRONMENTAL
The following environmental deficiencies are often the catalyst that
often start or accelerate deterioration as an external force in the
neighborhood.
Rating Description
1 Overcrowding a structure, thus cutting off
light and air .
2 Poor layout of structure, which tends to
cause confusing, inefficiency, and reduction
in value.
Rating Description
3 Mixed land use of conflicting nature, such
as residential uses, in close proximity to
the noisy and dirty industrial uses.
4 Residential or light commercial uses front-
ing on or in close proximity to heavily
traveled roads, thus causing susceptibility
to vehicular noise, exhaust fumes, and head-
light glare.
5 Lack of off-street parking in areas of narrow
streets and high density of use.
6 Sameness of environment, large areas of
identical structures having no real character
or spirit of individualism, (Example:
Identical tenant house, row houses.)
NEIGHBORHOOD FACILITIES
This is to determine the degree to which the neighborhood is receiving
services or facilities both public and semi-public; included are sanitary
sewer, water facilities, parks, educational facilities, fire and police
protection, religious institutions, recreation facilities, etc. These items
will be indicated on the survey form as to grading.
STRUCTURE OCCUPANTS
The form provided will be used for the answer to the questions desired
for the write-up of the citizens living within the Town of Williamston.
SOCIAL
Generally social conditions will pinpoint areas of future physical
deterioration. In addition to fulfilling the need for delineating social problem
areas, the information will be used in the "recommended treatment" of problem
areas .
The following information will be obtained from persons knowledgeable on
social topics, such as local health officer, Chief of Police, Fire Chief, etc.
1. Fires
2 . Crimes
3. Juvenile Delinquency
4. Infectious Disease
5. Welfare Recipients
6. Illegimate Births
PLANNING AREA ANALYSES
Questions To Be Answered- -
1. Housing conditions, included the location and extent of blight or
potential blight.
2. Characteristics of families affected by poor housing.
3. Conditions in nonresidential areas, including location and extent of blight
and potential blight.
4. Adequacy of community facilities and services, both public and private.
5. Causes of blight.
6. Steps needed to eliminate present blight and prevent future blight.
7. Priority schedule of steps needed to eliminate blight by specific area.
8. Plan of action, neighborhood by neighborhood, designed to make each area
a continuing asset to the town.
£N
1AL ANALYS&
\
GENERAL ANALYSIS OF WILLIAMSTON, N. C.
The atmosphere one feels from the people and particularly the leaders
of Williams ton is cautious progress. The people are forward looking in
respect to education, crime and fire prevention, and sewer and water
facilities; but these same people feel that housing and economic conditions
are adequate. The Caucasian people of Williams ton feel that whatever type
of governmental program will be in effect is geared to the Negroes. The
Negroes do not feel that enough housing projects are available to them.
The housing and economic situation in Williamston is very bad in about
one half of the town. The Negroes seem to be benefitting the most from
housing projects because they realize the conditions they live in are sub-
standard and want to improve them. In low income Caucasian areas where the
people could benefit greatly from housing and economic programs established
by the government, the people are opposed to any program because they do not
want to be classed with Negroes and, therefore, refuse to apply for help from
the government. The Caucasians are at or just above poverty level.
The government has neglected to educate the people of Williamston about
programs that could help them. The people are extremely confused about hous-
ing and economic programs, and this confusion leads to open hostility towards
the government and members of minority races People do not know who to
approach about questions they have, The local media should be used to
inform the public about what is being done, how the people might help, who
is doing what, who is eligible for help under the program, and how one might
apply for assistance for each program.
13
The professional employees of the town are very capable. Chief of
Police, John Swain, is very forward looking. His leadership In establishing
the "Williamston Junior Police Club" has given the young people a place to go
that they enjoy and at the same time keep these young people out. of trouble.
There are four firemen employed full-time by the City of Williamston. The
men know their job well and can point out the drawbacks the department has
readily. A full- time fire chief is necessary for the department to run more
smoothly and efficiently. (A Fire Chief was hired in September.) The
water system of the town desperately needs modernizing.
The sanitation department is doing a very commendable job. Trash is
deposited in a sanitary land-fill. Backyard garbage pick-up makes Williamston
a more beautiful city by not having garbage cans lining the streets every day.
Other than necessary services such as fire, police, and sanitation, the
city leaders seem to be satisfied with the status quo . In house to house
observation, it seems the cause of this may be the lack of college educated
young people returning to Williamston to live. Lower educated people have
every opportunity to step forward and push for a better town but they do not,
therefore, progress is slow. All programs that the city adopts seem to be
pushed upon them by the federal and state governments. When one is forced to
do something, it is not nearly as desirable as when one conceives the idea
himself ,
The people of the city seem to be changing, however. Recently a school
bond issue was passed overwhelmingly in Martin County. The vote for the bond
in Williamston outnumbered the vote against the bond in the entire county.
The people are also noticing the better housing low income people are getting
14
in the housing projects and can now appreciate these projects. This is not to
say the people have completely changed. They are still prejudiced, but they
are also accepting forced change.
The largest source of untapped community leadership is in the middle
class Negro population. These people have many innovative ideas and have a
better view of needs, because they grew up in poverty areas and in many cases
forced to continue living in poverty areas. The Caucasian leaders are not
allowing Negro participation other than on a token basis in city government.
Negro participation in city government would not only bring new life to the
city, but would also ease some of the racial tension in Williamston.
There has not been any racial uprising in Williamston, but one can sense
friction in nearly all houses. Caucasians are tired of "those niggers" getting
everything free. Negroes have a great distrust for the Caucasians, The average
Negro man wants nothing to do with the Caucasian man because he feels he will
be mistreated mentally, physically, and monetarily. These citizens of
Williamston are not able to conceal their prejudices. Negroes and Caucasians
live in segregated neighborhoods that are clearly separated. La.rge open areas
or commercial areas or streets or railroad tracts separate races. In
isolated areas Caucasians may live in a Negro neighborhood. When this occurs,
the Caucasians may know the nearest Caucasian person but do not know their
closer Negro neighbors. These Negro neighbors do not know the Caucasian
either. Until the average Negro and Caucasian citizens are able to discuss
problems facing the city, racial tension will remain. The city leaders are
to be commended for the effort in putting Negroes on all appointed boards of
the city. This is a start, but the trend must continue to all in every situation
15
Map 1 points out areas where this survey team had trouble. This is not
to say all people located in the shaded areas were against the survey, but
the great majority were. In the same respect, there were people in the
unshaded area who were opposed to the survey but these people did not surmount
a total worth condemming the entire neighborhood. All of the shaded areas are
Caucasian areas where complete surveys were done. All Negro neighborhoods
responded very willingly to the survey. The Caucasian neighborhoods that are
unshaded were higher income neighborhoods where the complete survey was not
asked.
The City of Williamston needs improvement in the many areas discussed
above. This study presents plans for improvement and assigns priorities to
meet the needs best for the city in this neighborhood analysis. These sugges-
tions may not be the only answers but the purpose of the report is to point out
the problems and to show exactly where they are.
16
Map 1 points out areas where this survey team had trouble. This is not
to say all people located in the shaded areas were against the survey, but
the great majority were. In the same respect, there were people in the
unshaded area who were opposed to the survey but these people did not surmount
a total worth condemming the entire neighborhood. All of the shaded areas are
Caucasian areas where complete surveys were done. All Negro neighborhoods
responded very willingly to the survey. The Caucasian neighborhoods that are
unshaded were higher income neighborhoods where the complete survey was not
asked.
The City of Williamston needs improvement in the many areas discussed
above. This study presents plans for improvement and assigns priorities to
meet the needs best for the city in this neighborhood analysis. These sugges-
tions may not be the only answers but the purpose of the report is to point out
the problems and to show exactly where they are.
16
TOWN OF WILLIAMSTON
I HIGH RESISTANCE
TO SURVEY
LOW EDUCATION
HIGH RESISTANCE
^^™ TO SURVEY AND
LOW EDUCATION
CRIME AND CRIME PREVENTION
Police action in Williams ton in recent years has been directed toward
crime prevention rather than crime detention. This approach accents the
progressive nature of Williamston' s Police Department. This crime prevention
is largely centered around the "Williamston Junior Police Club" on Jamesville
Road. It is mainly responsible for the dramatic drop in juvenile deliquency.
Only ten juvenile complaints were taken to court in 1971. This was out of a
total of only twenty-one juvenile complaints that were handled by the police
during the whole year. These complaints involved such things as larceny,
skipping school, and vandalism. As another note of the effectiveness of
crime prevention in Williamston, there were no armed robberies in 1971.
Juvenile complaints have been coming from predominantly Negro neighbor-
hoods as well as the low- to lower middle Caucasian neighborhoods. Breaking
and entering is found primarily in the Negro neighborhoods along Washington
Street. The specific areas of the juvenile complaints as well as those of
the breaking and entering can be found on Map 2.
Continued public support and public participation will greatly enhance
the "Williamston Junior Police Club" in its mission of crime prevention.
This support must include financial backing in order to have the program in
the future. This program must be allowed to grow in order to prevent future
juvenile deliquency. All juveniles must be able to participate in these
police-supervised activities.
19
^
FIRE PROTECTION
Fire portection in Williamston is in great need of improvement if one
does not want a potential holocaust in the not so distant future. The
professional firemen are very well- trained . The two major inadequacies of
the Williamston Fire Department appear to be under-sized water lines, and
location of the lines.
On Map 3, one can see the location of the hydrants that draw from 4",
6", 8", and 10" water lines. All the 10" water lines should be replaced
with 16" lines. In fact, all lines should be replaced with larger lines. The
most urgent need is the replacal of all the 4" lines. These hydrants are
one- thousand feet apart at the most. The following table shows the percentage
of hydrants from each size line.
TABLE 1
Hydrants (Number) Percentage
4"
24
12%
6"
150
76%
8"
21
10%
10"
4
2%
199 100%
The fire department has the equipment to pump 3,000 gallons of water per
minute but there is no hydrant that is connected to a water line that could
draw that amount of water at that rate. Needless to say, a general increase
in the size of the water lines in Williamston is needed.
23
TOWN OF WILLIAMSTON
INDUSTRIAL, LIGHT
INDUSTRIAL, HEAVY
10" FIRE HYDRANT
8" FIRE HYDRANT
FIRE HYDRANT
4" FIRE HYDRANT
There are three major classifications of the type of fires. Class A
concerns wood, paper, or rubbish. Class B is started by flammable liquids.
Class C fires are electrical fires. The following table shows an
estimation of the percentage of types of fires in Williamston.
TABLE 2
Types Percentage
Class A 60%
Class B 30%
Class C 10%
The number of calls to the fire department has been reduced dramatically
in recent years. The reason for this drop is the conversion of many houses
that were heated by wood to gas and oil heat. Saw mills which were a source
of wood in years past have gone out of business. Because of this action,
the conversion was necessary. The reason for the relatively low number of
false calls is that Williamston handles all of its fire calls by telephone;
thus, preventing many false alarms that occur in places where only pulling
a switch places an alarm to the fire department.
TABLE 3
Year Fire Calls False Calls
1969
162
1970
172
4
1971
127
3
thru July
62
1
13, 1972
27
There are two water tanks owned by the town on the corner of Sycamore
and Tank Streets. There is a private tank on the Roanoke River at the
fertilizer plant. Wells for the town are located on Church Street, at the
High School football field, and two at the tanks on Sycamore Street,
28
EDUCATION
The Williamston Planning Area has three schools in its boundaries. One
is located on Smithwick Street. This is the high school. The junior high
school is located on Washington Street. The elementary school is located
on School Drive and Church Street.
Williamston' s educational situation is on the depressing side. The
drop-out rate in Martin County runs between forty-five and fifty- five per
cent. In the town, the lower income Caucasian areas and predominatedly
Negro areas have high rates of low education. Map 1 shows areas where at
least thirty- five per cent of the area marked has people who did not graduate
from high school. This area is too great for the citizens of Williamston.
On the bright side, Martin County voters passed a school bond issue on
July 11th by an overwhelming majority. The Williamston precincts showed an
even larger margin of approval. Regardless of arguments that the bond issue
was not needed, one must see the vote as an acceptance by the people of the
responsibility of having good public schools. This is indeed a switch in public
attitude in recent years. The last three school bond issues had been defeated
decisively .
Another bright spot in the Williamston area and Martin County is
Martin Technical Institute. It is located out on U. S. 64 outside of the
planning area. Its courses include those one would think of finding in a
community college rather than a technical institute.
29
Obviously, the educational standards of Williamston need to be raised.
The education of the Negroes is unusually low when compared to the education
of the Caucasians. Well over eighty per cent of the Negroes live in areas
designated on the map as areas where at least thirty- five per cent of the
people do not have a high school education. Much work is needed to further
educate both poor Caucasians and Negroes.
30
PUBLIC WELFARE AND HEALTH
Social Services
The information that was provided by the Martin County Department of
Social Services is based on the entire county and not: just Williamston. There
is no data compiled giving the number of Old Age Survivors Income (OASI)
who also receive Public Assistance and Medicaid. It is established that
approximately 450 of the 768 recipients in all categories receive OASI, One
hundred and seventy-one receive Aid to the Disabled, permanently and totally
disabled mentally or physically, with 105 receiving a money payment and 66
receiving medical services only. There are 28 recipients of Aid to the Blind,
One hundred and seventy- eight people are receiving financial assistance in
the Aged category, and 235 aged people are receiving medicaid.
The information on food stamps is also based on the entire Martin
County area. The average number of families receiving food stamps in the
county during the period from July, 1971, through June, 1972, a month is 796.
The average number of people receiving food stamps a month is 3,103. Per
month, the number of families receiving food stamps ranged from 651 in August,
1971, to 875 in April, 1972. Per month, the number of people receiving food
stamps ranged from 2,372 in August, 197.1, to 3,468 in April, 1972.
Health
The Martin County Health Department gave the information concerning
hepatitus, tuberculosis, venereal disease, and illegitimate births. Table 4
shows the number of each during the last three twelve-month periods, This
information is for Williamston only.
31
TABLE 4
HEALTH INFORMATION
69-70 70-71
Tuberculosis
Hepatitis
Venereal Disease
Illegitimate Births
71-72
5
4
3
6
8
10
33
18
28
The reason hepatitus was included is because there were several cases
reported in the County. One must notice that there are no cases in Williamston
Reported cases of tuberculosis and illegitimate births appear to have no
definite trends up or down but the number of venereal diseases appears to
be steadily increasing.
32
MAJOR INDUSTRY AND INDUSTRIAL SITES
The industry picture within Williamston is somewhat bleak, however,
this is not true for the county. The major industries of Williamston are
Jefferson Mills, which produces textiles; Kerr McGee, which produces
agricultural chemicals; June Day, which produces garments; Williamston Plywood
Company; Williamston Meat Packing Company, and the W. I. Skinner Company, which
processes tobacco. The last company does not operate at full capacity the year-
round. It employs approximately two-hundred and fifty on just a seasonal
basis. Others are employed permanently there.
The prospective industrial sites are, for the most part, located outside
of the city limits. This is so because industries do not want double taxation
that would result if they were to locate in town. If they were, they would
pay both city and county taxes. Eight hundred acres of land, however, is
zoned as a future industrial site within the city limits. It is located near
the Roanoke River and south of the by-pass. One hundred sixty- seven acres
are located on U. S. 17 toward Washington. Fifteen acres are located on
Prison Camp Road. Thirty-six acres of a prospective industrial site are
near McCasky Road and the railroad tracks. Twenty acres on both sides of
U. S. 64 just outside the Planning Area are another potential industrial
site. The location of these industrial sites is depicted on Map 3.
One should note that much of the labor force of Williamston is employed
in industries outside of the Williamston area. Industries in Robersonville
and Plymouth attract many of these workers. This is particularly true of the
Weyerhaeuser plant near Plymouth, the largest employer in the county.
33
UNEMPLOYMENT IN MARTIN COUNTY
Information about unemployment is scattered throughout the state. Some
information is in Williamston. Other information is with the Employment
Security Commission in Raleigh and still more is with the census bureau.
In February, 1972, the estimated unemployed work force in a 15 mile
radius of Williamston was 1,545. Of these, 500 were male and 1,045 were
experienced manufacturing workers. One hundred and forty-five male and
170 females were considered inexperienced but trainable.
The number of people receiving unemployment compensation from the state
is difficult to pinpoint. During the week ending June 30, 1972, 396 checks
were sent to people in Martin County. During July and August, this number
will drop to around 240; but the number of recipients will be as high as
1,200 in the winter months. The unemployment rate varies from year to year
between 5% and 7% in Martin County but it doesn't go down as far as it goes
up. Unemployment this year is up 6% from last year judging by the May
figures. May 1971 - 610 people - 5%; May 1972 - 740 people - 5.6%.
According to the 1970 census, occupational unemployment is as follows:
TABLE 5
OCCUPATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT
Occupation Male Fema 1 e Total
Prof., Technical & Manager
Sales Worker
Clerical & Kindred
Craftsmen, Foremen & Kindred
Operations, enc . Transportation
34
14
5
19
--
14
14
--
20
20
58
114
172
29
11
40
Occupation
Laborers, except farmer
Farm Workers
Service Workers, inc. Private
Households
Male
27
53
16
197
Female
42
51
15
272
Total
69
104
31
469
35
TOURIST SITES - WILLIAMSTON , N. C.
Williamston has nothing to offer tourists that is of any great interest.
The town advertises its oldest commercial building which is the County Industrial
Development office but it is not particularly open to the public. Even if
the building were open, it would not draw crowds because it was built in the
late 19th century which is no historic treasure. The Asa Biggs home is not
open to the public and is pointed out by an historical marker one block
away that does not tell the exact location.
The Cenoho Indian Village may be a site of interest when restored
but as of now it has no drawing power. If easily accessible, the Cyrress
Tree, alledgedly the oldest tree east of the Mississippi, would be an
attraction; but one must travel by boat to see it. Moratock Park will be nice
for the townspeople and might be the attraction needed to bring travelers
to Williamston.
Fort Branch, near Hamilton, is the best bet for tourism. The recent
discovery of cannon, if publicized properly, will advertise the Fort. The
Fort should be restored and would likely bring visitors to Williamston year-round.
Williamston ' s greatest tourist attraction is its proximity to historical
and progressive Edenton where historical tours are held daily and where
dozens of 18th and 19th and even 17th century houses can be found.
36
r^.
^v
/
L
THE SURVEY
■■■HH^^H
■■■■■^^^^HHH
THE SURVEY
The following facts about each inspection area is based on information
obtained in interviews taken in Wi 1 1 iams ton from June 6, 1972 to July 1^, 1972.
In these interviews questions were asked concerning such diverse items as
military service, income, rooms, rent, and family composition. A special
code was used for the houses that were in neighborhoods that were obviously
standard and were economically well-off, For these houses, only the name of
the head of the household and address were necessary. In the blank for income,
50 was inserted. This did not mean that family had an income of fifty thousand
dollars; the Code 50 means it is obviously a standard house, Henceforth,
the words Code 50 will be undexstood to mean this.
Before getting into the data for each inspection area, perhaps it is best
to give some information on the entire survey. The average income for
families residing in Will iams ton and its extraterritorial jurisdictional
area, excluding the Code 50 's, is $4,297. The average rent, including
utilities, again leaving out Code 50's, was $57.15 a month. The Code 50's
in this survey represented 48.6% of the total number of houses done.
The basis for classifying houses substandard in the survey are having
one or more of the following: no inside private hot -and- cold water; no
inside individual bath or shower; no individual flush toilet, town sewer
or septic tank; no individual inside operating sink; no individual operating
stove; or no adequate and safe heat in all living areas. On this basis,
20.3% of all houses, including the Code 50" s, are substandard. Excluiing the
Code 50 "s, the substandard figure is 39.3%
The following information is based on full internets and hence does not
include Code 50 ' s . The people that owned their houses numbered 271; the people
that. were, buying houses, 108; people renting houses, 345; people renting apart-
ments, 76; people renting rooms, 1]; and people having o r her occupancy
(mainly duplexes), 8.1. ^g
Most of the people had some source of water. Eight hundred and
seventy- six houses had municipal water. Twelve had well water. Only three
had no source of water.
The following information concerns standards for substandard housing.
The main course for substandard housing as far as water in dwellings is
concerned, is cold water only, private and inside. One hundred and eighty-
six houses had this. There were only combined totals of twenty- four other
reasons for not having the standard private, inside, hot-and-cold water.
Six hundred and eighty-one are standard in this respect.
An astonishing 170 houses have no bathing facilities. Ten have outside
and/or multi-family baths or showers. Seven hundred and eleven do have baths
or showers .
Eight hundred and sixty-one have the standard sewage disposal- flush
toilet, individual, town sewer, or septic tank. Eighteen of thirty sub-
standard have outside privies.
Most of the houses had operating sinks that were inside and individual.
Only thirty- six did not meet this standard. Likewise, only fourteen did not
meet the standard of an individual operating stove.
Six hundred and eleven houses had adequate and safe heat in all living
areas, One had adequate but unsafe heat. Two hundred and thirty- eight had
safe but inadequate heat. Thirty- seven had unsafe and inadequate heat. There
was one "other" heat.
There are other questions that were asked in the interviews. They will
be dealt with in further detail in the analysis of each area.
It should be noted that this survey covered 81% of the dwellings in
Williamston, based upon a total of 2,121 dwellings. The information given,
then, must be assumed to be fairly accurate. Some figures, however, will not
total correctly because some questions were not answered.
40
Most of the people had some source of water. Eight hundred and
seventy- six houses had municipal water. Twelve had well water. Only three
had no source of water.
The following information concerns standards for substandard housing.
The main course for substandard housing as far as water in dwellings is
concerned, is cold water only, private and inside. One hundred and eighty-
six houses had this. There were only combined totals of twenty- four other
reasons for not having the standard private, inside, hot-and-cold water.
Six hundred and eighty-one are standard in this respect.
An astonishing 170 houses have no bathing facilities. Ten have outside
and/or multi-family baths or showers. Seven hundred and eleven do have baths
or showers .
Eight hundred and sixty-one have the standard sewage disposal- flush
toilet, individual, town sewer, or septic tank. Eighteen of thirty sub-
standard have outside privies.
Most of the houses had operating sinks that were inside and individual.
Only thirty- six did not meet this standard. Likewise, only fourteen did not
meet the standard of an individual operating stove.
Six hundred and eleven houses had adequate and safe heat in all living
areas. One had adequate but unsafe heat. Two hundred and thirty- eight had
safe but inadequate heat. Thirty- seven had unsafe and inadequate heat. There
was one "other" heat.
There are other questions that were asked in the interviews. They will
be dealt with in further detail in the analysis of each area.
It should be noted that this survey covered 81% of the dwellings in
Williamston, based upon a total of 2,121 dwellings. The information given,
then, must be assumed to be fairly accurate. Some figures, however, will not
total correctly because some questions were not answered.
40
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43
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE
Summer, 197 2
Williams ton, North Carolina
1. Occupancy
Owner - 269
Buying - 108
Rent House - 347
Rent Apt. - 76
Rent Room - 11
Other - 81
2. Water Source
Municipal - 876
Well - 1.1
None - 3
Other -
3. Water- Dwelling
H&C Insd-Prvt - 681
H&C Insd Mltifmly -
C only-insd-pvt - 186
C only insd-mltifmly - '.
C only outsd-prvt - 17
C only outsd-multifmly ■
Other - 3
Area
TOTAL AREAS
Stove- Operating
Indvd - 877
Shared - 2
None - 8
Other - 4
Heat- Living Areas
Adeqt-safe - 611
Adeqt - unsafe - 1
Inadeqt - safe - 238
Inadeqt- unsafe - 37
Total Rooms Bedrooms
One
11
104
Two
6
393
Three
105
304
Four
279
67
Five
220
16
Six
153
1
Seven
111
1
10
Average Rent w/Utilities $57.00
Bath/ Shower 11.
Insd- indvd - 711
Insd-mltifmly - 7
Outsd- indvd - 2
Outsd-ml tifmly - 1
None - 170
Other -
Sewage Disposal
Flush Tlet-town-indv - 859
Flush t let- town- shared - 7 12.
Flush tlet-sptc tnk ind - 2
Flush tlet-sptc tnk shrd -
Privy outside- shared - 18
Privy outside- indv - 1
Other - 4
Sink- Operating
Insd- indvd - 855 13,
Insd - shared - 7
Outsd indvd - 5
Outsd shared - 1
Other - 23
Fa.mil y Comp.
1 adit- no chid - 125
1 adlt-w/chld - 140
2 ad It- no chid - 187
2 adlt-w/chld - 330
2+adlt fmly grp-no chid -
2+adlt fmly grp-w/chld 56
2+adlt non-fmly grp- 17
Other -
Number of Children
One - 164
Two - 111
Three - 109
Four - 52
Five +87
Noe - 361
Displaced Family
Fire-wind- flood - 51
Condemnation- govt - 22
Eviction - 3
Other - 7
No - 801
29
45
14. Disabled- (job/serv)
No - 642
Yes - 243
15. Handicapped
No - 803
Disease - 71
Birth Defect - 1
Accident - 5
Other - 4
16. Social Services
No - 703
Yes - 181
17. Social Security
No - 600
Yes - 284
18. Military- Fmly Head
Present - 5
Hon dis, not disabl - 158
Hon disc, disab - 14
Not hon dis, not dis -
Not hon dis, disabl - 1
No milit serv - 700
Other - 2
19. Average Family Income $4,297.00
20. Building Evaluation
Excellent - 145
Good - 185
Fair - 250
Deteriorated - 155
Dilapidated - 152
21. Total Interviews: 893
46
Area 1 is in the northeastern section of the town, bounded by Main Street
on the South, Smithwick Street on the west, the Roanoke River on the east,
and for all practical purposes, the Skewakee Gut Canal on the north. The
area actually extends northward to the limit of the extraterritorial jurisdic-
tion area, however, nothing is between the canal and the jurisdiction area
limit. Only one block of Main Street in Area 1 is zoned commercial. Along
River Road, which is dirt, is Moratock Park. The rest of Area 1 is zoned one
family residential. Williamston High School is located in this area as well
as Church Street Elementary School.
Unpaved roads appear sporadically throughout the area, River Road,
Thelma Street, Ormond Street, the northern most block of Henderson Street, the
eastern most block of Franklin Street, one block of Woodlawn Drive, and the
eastern most block of Church Street are all unpaved.
A housing project is located on East Main, Thelma, Henderson, and Church
Streets in Area 1. The general area of the housing project contained three
illegitimate births in the past year and two people with venereal disease
contracted within the past year. The project area was also the only section
of Area 1 with low education and breaking and entering.
No industry is located in Area 1. The area is served mainly by six- inch
water lines.
Seventy- two full interviews were taken in Area 1. There were 165 Code
50 houses listed in the area. Of the 72 full interviews taken, twenty-seven
were in the housing project. Substandard living conditions exist in 36.4% of
the 45 houses that are neither Code 50 nor in the housing project. When all
houses in the area are considered, however, the figure is only 6.8%. Eight
houses have no hot water.
47
There are also eight houses that do not have a bath tub or shower and
four others in which the bath is shared with another family. Five houses do
not have a one family toilet and one house that has no toilet at all. Sinks
are used by more than one family in five homes and three houses have no sink.
There is no stove in four houses and another house in which a stove is shared
by two families. One house has inadequate heating, but it was determined
safe. Twenty- five percent of the houses given full interviews were rated
deteriorated or delapidated.
Of the seventy- two families that were questioned, ten own their home,
six are buying, fifteen are renting a house, seventeen are renting an apart-
ment, five are renting a room, and nineteen are renting a duplex. Forty-one
families or 57% of the families live in a three or four room house. Ninety
percent of the families have no more than three bedrooms. There are eight
homes that have more than one family in them and one house which five
families live in.
Eighteen adults live in houses alone and sixteen adult couples live in
houses alone. There are fourteen houses with children and one adult, and
twenty homes with children and two adults. Two houses house more than two
adults in a family group with no children and one home with more than two
adults in a family group with children. There is one house that has more
than two adults with no family ties.
Twenty-one families in Area 1 have been displaced - 10 by fire, wind,
or flood and 11 by condemnation of their house by the government. Thirty- five
families have at least one family member disabled and twelve have at least
48
one family member handicapped by disease. Twenty-six families receive social
service assistance and twenty- eight receive social security assistance. Only
one family head is presently in service and only seven have been in the
military in the past. Sixty- four family heads have had no military background
The average income of the seventy- two families interviewed in Area 1 is
$2,848.00 per year and the average rent is $58.00 per month.
49
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE
Summer, 1972
Williams ton, North Carolina
1 . Occupancy
Onwer - 10
Buying - 6
Rent House - 15
Rent Room - 5
Other - 19
2. Water Source
Municipal - 72
Well -
None -
Other -
3. Water- Dwel ling
H&C insd-prvt - 64
H&C insd-mltifmly -
C only- insd-prvt - 8
C only insd-mltifmly -
C only outsd-prvt -
C only outsd-multifmly -
Other -
4. Bath/ Shower
Insd-indvd - 60
Insd-mltifmly - 4
Outsd-indvd -
Outsd-mltifmly -
None - 8
Other -
5. Sewage Disposal
Flush tlet- town- indv - 66
Flush tlet- town- shared - 5
Flush tlet-sptc tnk ind - (
Flush tlet-sptc tnk shrd -
Privy outside- shared -
Privy outside- indvd -
Other - 1
6 Sink- Operating
Insd-indvd - 64
Insd- shared - 5
Outsd indvd -
Outsd shared -
Other - 3
Area
#1
Stove- Operating
Indvd- 67
Shared - 1
None - 4
Other -
Heat- Living Areas
Adeqt-safe - 71
Adeqt- unsafe -
Inadeqt-safe - 1
Inadeqt-unsaf e -
9.
Total Rooms Bedrooms
One 5 30
Two 1 21
Three 23 14
Four 18 5
Five 10 2
Six 7
Seven+ 8
10.
Average Rent w/Utilitie
11.
Family Comp.
1 adlt-no chid - 18
1 adlt-w/chld - 14
2 adlt-no chid - 16
2 adlt-w/chld - 20
2+adlt fmly grp-no chid
2+adlt fmly grp-w/chld
2+adlt non-fmly grp - 1
Other -
12.
Number of Children
One - 15
Two - 3
Three - 3
Four - 4
Five+ - 10
None - 37
13. Displaced Family
Fire-wind- flood - 10
Condemnation- govt . - 11
Eviction -
Other -
No - 51
50
14. Disabled
No - 37
Yes - 35
( Job/Serv)
15. Handicapped
No - 60
Disease - 12
Birth Defect - (
Accident -
Other -
16. Social Services
No - 46
Yes - 26
17. Social Security
No - 44
Yes - 28
Military- Family Head
Present - 1
Hon Dis, not disabl -
Hon dis, disabl - 1
Not hon disc, not dis
Not hon disc, disabl -
No Military Service -
Other -
--
61
19. Average Family Income - $2,848.00
20. Building Evaluation
Excellent - 32
Good - 13
Fair - 8
Deteriorated - 9
Dilapidated --9
21. Total Interviews: 72
51
Area 2, 296 dwellings were accounted for in the interviews. Of these
interviews, 198 were Code 50 ■ s .
Area 2 is bounded on the south by Main Street, on the east by Smithwick
Street, on the west by Elm Street and Broad Street. It is served mainly by
six inch water lines, but has a mixture of four, eight, and ten- inch lines
also. It is in the area where there was high resistance to the survey and where
there are great areas of low education. Much of it is plagued by juvenile
delinquency. There were no cases of tuberculosis and venereal disease in
the Area during the last year. There were a few cases of illegitimate births
in Area 2. Part of Rhodes and Mulberry Streets are dirt.
Ninety- eight of the interviews in Area II were not Code 50' s as was
implied above. From these the following data was obtained.
The occupancies of the dwellings were as follows: owner, 39; buying 6;
rent house, 43; rent apartment, 3; and other, mainly duplexes, 9.
The water source of this area is municipal for 95, well for 2 and none
for 1. Eighty have hot-and-cold water for private use inside. Seventeen
have only cold water inside for private use. One has cold water on the out-
side for private use.
Inside individual baths or showers were found in eighty-six dwellings.
One had an outside bath for individual use. Eleven have no way of bathing.
Ninety- three have individual town flush toilets. One has an individual
flush toilet connected to a septic tank. Four have individual outside privies.
52
Ninety- five have operating, inside individual sinks. One has an outside
shared sink. There are two "other" sinks.
There are ninety- seven individual stoves. One has "other" stove.
Eighty- six have safe and adequate heat for all living areas. Twelve
have safe, but inadequate heat.
The dwellings in Area 2 have mainly four, five, or six rooms. There are
33 that have four rooms, 32 that have five rooms, and 15 that have six rooms.
The total number of dwellings having other numbers of rooms is 17. These
dwellings have different numbers of bedrooms. Seven have 1 bedroom; forty-
nine have 4 bedrooms ; and one has 5 bedrooms .
The family composition of these dwellings varied. Fifteen had one adult
without any children; four had one adult with children; 31 have two adults
with no children; 29 have two adults with children; eight are family groups
with more than two adults with no children; and eleven have more than two
adults with children.
Five families were displaced by fire, wind, or flood. One was displaced
because of government condemnation. Two have "other" displacements. Ninety
have not been displaced.
Twenty- five of ninety- eight families have a disabled person in the
family. Three are handicapped by disease; one, by birth defect; and another,
by accident. Twenty-four receive social service assistance. Thirty- three
receive social security benefits.
Twenty- two have the family head receiving an honorable discharge from
the military without being disabled. Seventy-six have no military service.
53
The average rent, including utilities, in Area 2 is $51.68. The average
income for the area is $4,802.00. The percent of non-Code 50 dwellings that
are substandard is 23.4%. The percent of all dwellings that are substandard
is 7.4%. All the dwellings that are evaluated as deteriorated or dilapi-
dated equal 12.7% of the non-Code 50 ' s .
54
Williams ton, North Carolina
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE
Summer, 1972
Area
1 . Occupancy
Owner - 37
Buying - 6
Rent House - 43
Rent Apt. - 3
Rent Room -
Other - 9
2. Water Source
Municipal - 95
Well - 2
None - 1
Other -
3. Water- Dwelling
H&C insd-prvt - 80
H&C insd mltifmly -
C only- insd prvt - 17
C only- insd mltifmly -
C only outsd- prvt - 1
C only outsd-mltifmly -
Other -
4. Bath/ Shower
Insd- indvd - 86
Insd-mltifmly -
Outsd- indvd - 1
Outsd-mltifmly -
None - 11
Other -
5. Sewage Disposal
Flush tlet- town- indvd - 93
Flush tlet- town- shared -
Flush tlet-sptc tnk indvd - 1
Flush tlet-sptc tnk shrd -
Privy outside- shared - 4
Privy outside- indvd -
Other -
6 . S ink - Op e ra t ing
Insd- indvd - 95
Insd- shared -
Outsd indvd -
Outsd shared -
Other - 2
13
#2
7.
Stove- Opera t
Indvd - 97
Shared -
None -
Other - 1
ing
8.
Heat- Living Areas
Adeqt-safe -
86
Adeqt- unsafe
-
Inadeqt-saf e
- 12
Inadeqt- unsafe -
9.
Total Rooms
Bedrooms
One 1
7
Two
49
Three 7
31
Four 33
9
Five 32
1
Six 15
Seven+ 9
10.
Average Rent
w/Utilities $52.00
11.
Fami ly Comp .
1 adit -no chid - 15
1 adlt-w/chld - 4
2 adit- no chid - 31
2 adlt-w/chld - 29
2+ adit fmly grp-no chid - 8
2+ adit fmly grp-w/chld - 11
2+ adit non-fmly grp -
Other -
12. Number of Children
One -
18
Tyro -
13
Three
- 3
Four -
3
F.ive+
- 7
None -
54
Displaced Family
Fire- wind- flood - 5
Condemnat ion- govt . - 1
Eviction -
Other - 2
No - 90
55
14. Disabled- (Job/ Serv)
No - 73
Yes - 25
15. Handicapped
No - 93
Disease - 3
Birth Defect - 1
Accident - 1
Other -
16. Social Services
No - 74
Yes - 24
17. Social Security
No - 65
Yes - 33
19,
20,
Mi 1 i ta ry - Fami ly Head
Present -
Hon Dis, not disabl - 22
Hon Dis, disabl -
Not Hon Dis, not disabl -
Not Hon Dis, disabl -
No Military Service - 76
Other -
Average Family Income - $4,802.00
Building Evaluation
Excellent -
Good - 31
Fair - 51
Deteriorated - 9
Dilapidated - 3
21.
Total Interviews
98
56
Area 3 is in the southeastern section of the town, bounded by Main Street
on the north, the Roanoke River on the east, the extraterritorial jurisdictional
area limit on the south, and Haughton Street on the west. Main Street is
commercial from Haughton Street to Biggs Street west of Smithwick and south
of Marshall (not including the houses on the south side of Marshall Street) is
commercial. The by-pass is commercial and some light industry exists off the
by-pass. The rest of the area is zoned one family residential. Hutton Street
and the southern most block of Harrell Street are unpaved streets. The health
department and courthouse are located in Area 3.
Breaking and entering has occurred on East Main Street and Harrison
Street in the past year. There were no reports of tuberculosis, venereal disease,
or illegitimate births in the past year. There is a high percentage of low
education east of Watts Street. As a survey team, we were not well received
in this area. An eight hundred acre potential industrial site is located on
the river south of the by-pass. The residential areas are served mainly by four
inch water lines and the commercial areas by six inch water lines.
One hundred thirty- nine full interviews were taken in Area 3. There
were eleven Code 50 houses listed in the Area. Substandard living conditions
exist in 17.3% of the 139 houses interviewed. Nine houses did not have hot
water, but do have inside cold water. One house has only cold water outside.
Two houses have a bath tub or shower shared by more than one family and eight
houses no shower or tubs. Toilets are shared in two houses by more than one
family and one house has an outdoor privy. Sinks are shared at two houses
and one house has no sink. At one house a stove is shared by two families and
at another there is no stove. Fifteen houses have inadequate and unsafe heat.
Eleven percent of the houses interviewed were rated deteriorated or dilapidated.
57
Of the 139 families that were asked full interviews, 50 own their home,
21 are buying, 46 rent a house, 14 rent apartments, 2 rent rooms, and seven
rent a duplex. Forty-nine percent of the houses are four or five rooms and
34% are six or seven rooms. Seventy- six percent of the houses have two or
three bedrooms. There are five houses in which two families and three houses
in which three families live.
Twenty- four adults live in houses alone and forty- four adult couples live
alone. There are eleven houses with children and one adult and forty-nine
houses with children and two adults. There are two houses in which more than
two adults in a family group live without children and three where there are
children. Four houses house more than two adults in a non- family group.
Six families in Area 3 have been displaced by fire, wind, or flood.
Thirty- seven families have at least one family member disabled and seventeen
have at least one family member handicapped by disease. Seven families
receive social service assistance and forty-six receive social security
assistance. Two family heads are presently in the service and forty-five
have served in the past. Four of these men were disabled when they were
discharged.
The average income in Area 3 is $6,205,00 per year and the average rent
is $67.00 per month.
58
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE
Summer, 1972
Williams ton, North Carolina
1 . Occupancy
Owner - 50
Buying - 21
Rent House - 46
Rent Apt. - 14
Rent Room - 2
Other - 7
2. Water Source
Municipal - 139
Well -
None -
Other -
3. Water- Dwelling
H&C insd-prvt - 129
H&C insd-mltifmly -
C only - insd-prvt - 9
C only insd-mltifmly -
C only outsd-prvt - 1
C only outsd-mltifmly -
Other -
4. Bath/ Shower
Insd-indvd - 129
Insd-mltifmly - 2
Outsd-indvd -
Outsd-mltifmly -
None - 8
Other -
5. Sewage Disposal
Flush tlet-town-indv - 136
Flush tlet- town- shared - 2
Flush tlet-sptc tnk ind -
Flush tlet-sptc tnk shared -
Privy outside- shared - 1
Privy outside - indvd -
Other -
6. Sink- Operating
Insd-indvd- 136
Insd- shared - 2
Outsd indvd -
Outsd shared -
Other - 1
Area
#3
13
Stove- Operating
Indvd - 137
Shared - 1
None -
Other -- 1
Heat- Living Areas
Adeqt-safe - 120
Adeqt-unsafe -
Inadeqt-safe - 15
Inadequt- unsafe - 3
Total Rooms Bedrooms
One
2
15
Two
47
Three
7
59
Four
33
14
Five
35
3
Six
27
1
Seven+
35
10.
Average
Rent
w/Util
11.
Family
Comp.
1 adlt-no chid - 24
1 adlt-w/chld - 11
2 adlt-no chid - 44
2 adlt-w/chld - 49
2+ adit fmly grp-no chid
2+ adit fmly grp-w/chld ■
2+ adit non-fmly group -
Other
12. Number of Children
One -
22
Two -
16
Three
-
Four -
• 3
Five+
5
None -
• 7
Displaced Family
Fire-wind-flood - 6
Condemnation-govt . -
Eviction -
Other -
No - 131
59
14,
15,
Disabled -
No. - 101
Yes - 37
(Job/Serv)
Handicapped
No - 121
Diseased - 17
Birth Defect ■
Accident -
Other -
18. Military- Family Head
Present - 2
Hon dis, not disabl - 41
Hon dis, disabl - 4
Not hon dis, not disabl -
Not hon dis, disabl -
No military service - 89
Other
19. Average Family Income $6,205.00
16. Social Services
No - 131
Yes - 7
17. Social Security
No - 92
Yes - 46
20. Building Evaluation
Excellent - 56
Good - 43
Fair - 25
Deteriorated - 6
Dilapidated - 9
21. Total Interviews :
139
60
In Area 4, 210 dwellings were accounted for in the interviews. Of these
interviews, 47 were Code 50 ' s .
Area 4 is bounded on the south by the extraterritorial jurisdictional
line, on the west by the railroad tracks, on the north by Main Street, and the
east by Haughton Street. It is served by mainly six inch water line but does
have a few four, eight, and ten inch lines. It had a small area that was
resistant to the survey. It is an area where low education predominates.
It is plagued by breaking and entering and juvenile deliquency. There were no
cases of tuberculosis reported last year. There were several cases of
illegitimate births and venereal disease. Factory Street, New Street, Tank
Street, Hunter Street, and part of Railroad Street are dirt.
One hundred and sixty- three interviews were not Code 50 ' s . The following
data is based upon these interviews.
The occupancies of the dwellings were as follows: owner, 5; buying, 6;
renting, 52; renting apartment, 38; renting room, 1; and "other," mainly
duplexes, 15.
The water sources of this area is municipal for all 163. One hundred
and seventeen have hot-and-cold water for inside private use. Forty-one have
only cold water for private inside use. Two have cold water inside for multi-
family use. One has cold water on the outside for private use. One has cold
water outside for multi-family use. One has "other" water.
Inside individual baths or showers were found in one hundred and twenty-
two dwellings. One has an outside multi- family bathing facility. Forty
have no bathing facilities.
61
One hundred and sixty- two have individual flush toilets on the town
sewage line. One has an individual outside privy.
One hundred and fifty-nine have operating inside individual sinks. One
is an outside individual sink. Three have "other" sinks.
There are one hundred and fifty- nine individual stoves. Three have no
stoves and one has "other" stove.
One hundred and thirteen have adequate and safe heat in all living areas.
Forty- nine have inadequate but safe heat. One has inadequate and unsafe heat.
There is one one- room dwelling in Area A. Twenty- four dwellings have
three rooms. Fifty have four rooms. Forty- one have five rooms. Twenty- eight
have six. Nine have seven. Five have eight. Five have nine rooms. Twelve
of these dwellings have one bedroom. One hundred and twelve have 2 bedrooms;
seventy-eight have 3 bedrooms; thirteen have 4; and five have 5.
The family composition also varies greatly. Twenty- three have one adult
with no children. Thirty-one have one adult with children. Nineteen have
two adults with no children. Seventy- two have two adults with children.
Seven have more than two adults with no children. Eleven have more than two
adults with children.
Nine of the families have been displaced because of fire, wind, or flood.
Five have been displaced because of government condemnation. Two have been dis-
placed for other reasons. One hundred and forty- seven have not been displaced.
Thirty- five of the one hundred and sixty- three families have some
family member living in the dwelling disabled. Five are handicapped by
disease; two by accident; and two by other means. Twenty- six receive social
service assistance. Fifty receive social security benefits.
62
Twenty- four have heads of the household on honorable discharge from
the military without being disabled. One received no honorable discharge
and was disabled. One hundred and thirty-four have no military service.
The average rent, including utilities, in this Area is $54.40. The
average income is $3,870.00. The percent of non-Code 50 dwellings that are
substandard is 35.6%. The percent of all dwellings that are substandard is
27.6%. All the dwellings that were evaluated as deteriorated or dilapidated
equals 41% of the non-Code 50' s.
63
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE
Summer, 1972
Williams ton, North Carolina
1 . Occupancy
Owner - 51
Buy ing - 6
Rent House - 52
Rent Apt. - 38
Rent Room - 1
Other - 15
2. Water Source
Municipal - 163
Well -
None -
Other -
3. Water- Dwelling
H&C insd-prvt - 117
H&C insd mltifmly -
C only insd prvt - 41
C only insd mltifmly - 2
C only outsd prvt - 1
C only outside-mltifmly - 1
Other - 1
4. Bath/ Shower
Insd- indvd- 122
Insd-mltifmly -
Outsd- indvd -
Outsd-mltifmly - 1
None - 40
Other -
5. Sewage Disposal
Flush tlet- town- indvd - 162
Flush tlet- town- shared -
Flush tlet-sptc tnk indvd - (
Flush tlet-sptc tnk shrd -
Privy outside- shared - 1
Privy outside- indvd -
Other -
6. Sink-Operating
Insd- indvd - 159
Insd- shared -
Outsd indvd - 1
Outsd shared -
Other - 3
Area
#4
Stove- Operating
Indvd - 159
Shared -
None - 3
Other - 1
Heat- Living Areas
Adeqt-safe - 113
Adeqt- unsafe -
Inadeqc - safe - 49
Inadeqt- unsafe - 1
Total Rooms Bedrooms
One
1
19
Two
65
Three
24
59
Four
50
14
Five
41
5
Six
28
Seven+
19
1
10, Averagi
2 Rent w/Utilities $5
1 1 , Fami ly
1 ad.lt-
Comp.
-no chid ■
- 23
1 adit-
-w/chld -
31
2 adlt-
-no chid -
- 19
2 adit-
•w/chld -
72
2+adlt
2+adlt
2+adlt
Other -
fmly grp-no chid - 7
fmly grp/w/chld - 11
non- fmly grp -
■ 1
12. Number
of Children
One - 36
Two - 24
Three -
23
Four -
11
Five+ -
16
None
53
13 o Displaced Family
Fire-wind-flood - 9
Condemnation- govt -5
Eviction -
Other - 2
No - 147
64
14. Disabled- (Job/Serv)
No - 128
Yes - 35
15. Handicapped
No - 153
Disease- 5
Birth Defect -
Accident - 2
Other - 2
16. Social Services
No - 137
Yes - 26
17. Social Security
No - 113
Yes - 50
18. Military- Family Head
Present -
Hon dis, not disabl - 24
Hon dis, disabl - 4
Not hon dis, not disabl -
Not hon dis, disabl - 1
No Military service - 134
Other -
19. Average Family Income - $3,870
20. Building Evaluation
Excellent - 35
Good - 18
Fair - 43
Deteriorated - 40
Dilapidated - 27
21. Total Interviews : 163
65
In Area 5, 241 dwellings were accounted for in the interviews. Of these
interviews, 20 were Code 50 ■ s .
Area 5 is bounded on the south by Main Street; on the west by a line
running north from approximately the intersection of the railroad tracks and
Main Street; on the north by the extraterritorial jurisdictional line; and on
the east by Elm Street and Broad Street. It is served mainly by six- inch
water lines but does have a few four and ten inch lines. It was an area where
there was very little resistance to the survey. Large portions of Area 5 have
people with low education. Nearly all of the area has problems with juvenile
delinquency. There are a few cases of tuberculosis that were reported in the
last year. This area has the largest concentration of reported cases of
venereal disease and illegitimate births in the Town of Williamston. Lenier
Street, Hanes Street, part of Hamilton Street, Gurganus Street, Franklin
Street, South Broad Street, and Academy Street are dirt. New Avenue is paved
but has no curb and gutter.
Two hundred and twenty- one interviews were not Code 50 ' s . The following
data is based upon these interviews.
The occupancies of the dwellings were as follows: owner, 89; buying, 22;
rent house, 90; rent apartment, 0; rent room, 2; and "other" mainly duplexes, 17
The water source is municipal for 219. One has no water. One hundred
and seventy have hot-and-cold water for inside private use. Forty- six have
only cold water for private inside use. Three have cold water on the outside
for private use. One has "other" water.
66
Inside individual baths or showers were found in one hundred and seventy-
nine dwellings. One has an inside multi- family bathing facility. Forty have
no bathing facilities.
Two hundred and eighteen have individual flush toilets on the town sewage
line. One has an individual outside privy. One has a shared outside privy.
Two hundred and sixteen have individual, inside operating sinks. Four
have "other" sinks, mainly none.
Two hundred and twenty have individual operating stoves. This accounts
for all that answered the question.
One hundred and seventy- three have adequate and safe heat in all living
areas. Forty- seven have safe but inadequate heat.
There is one one- room house in Area 5. Fourteen have three- room dwellings
Seventy-nine are four-roomedc Fifty- six have five rooms. Thirty-nine have
six. Fourteen have seven. Ten have eight. Seven have nine. Twelve have
one bedroom. One hundred and twelve have two bedrooms. Seventy-eight have
three bedrooms. Thirteen have four bedrooms. Five have five bedrooms.
The family composition in Area 5 varies greatly. Twenty- four have one
adult with no children. Thirty-six have one adult with children. Forty-
three have two adults with no children. Eighty-three have two adults with
children. Ten have more than two adults without children. Twenty- four have
more than two adults with children.
Eleven have been displaced because of fire, wind, or rain. Two were
displaced because of governmental condemnation. One was displaced for other
reasons. Two hundred and six were not displaced.
67
Fifty families have at least one member living in the dwelling who is
disabled. One is handicapped by disease; one by accident; and two by other
means. Thirty-six receive social service assistance. Sixty-four receive
social security benefits.
One family head is in the military at present. Forty- two received
honorable discharges and were not disabled. Two received honorable discharges
and were disabled. One hundred and seventy- three had no military service.
Two had "other."
The average rent, including utilities, in Area 5 is $51.48. The average
income is $4,183.09. The percent of non-Code 50' s that are substandard is
33.5%. The percent of all dwellings that are substandard is 30.7%. All the
buildings that were evaluated as deteriorated or dilapidated equal 30.4% of
the non-Code 50 ' s .
68
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE
Summer, 197 2
Williams ton, North Carolina
1 . Occupancy
Owner - 89
Buying - 22
Rent House - 90
Rent Apt. -
Rent Room - 2
Other - 17
2. Water Source
Municipal - 219
Well -
None - 1
Other -
3. Water- Dwelling
H&C insd-prvt - 170
H&C insd mltifmly -
C only- insd-prvt - 46
C only- insd-mltifmly -
C only outsd-prvt - 3
C only outsd-mltifmly -
Other - 1
4. Bath/ Shower
Insd- indvd- 179
Insd-mltifmly - 1
Outsd- indvd -
Outsd-mltifmly -
None - 40
Other -
5. Sewage Disposal
Flush tlet- town- indvd - 218
Flush tlet- town- shared -
Flush tlet-sptc tnk indvd -
Flush tlet-sptc tnk shrd -
Privy outside- shared - 1
Privy outside- indvd - 1
Other -
6. Sink-Operating
Insd- indvd - 216
Insd- shared -
Outsd indvd -
Outsd shared -
Other - 4
Area
#5
7.
Stove- Operating
Indvd -
220
Shared -
--0
None -
Other -
8.
Heat- Living Areas
Adeqt-safe -
173
Adeqt- Unsafe
-
Inadeqt-
■safe
- 47
Inadeqt
- uns
;afe -
9.
Total 1
looms
Bedrooms
One
1
12
Two
112
Three
14
78
Four
79
13
Five
56
5
Six
39
Seven+
31
10.
Average
Rent
w/Utilities $51.00
11.
Fami ly 1
Comp ,
1 adlt-no chid - 24
1 adlt-w/chld - 36
2 adlt-no chid - 43
2 adlt-w/chld - 83
2+adlt fmly grp-no chid
2+adlt fmly grp-w/chld ■
2+adlt non-fmly grp -
Other -
12. Number of Children
One - 38
Two - 28
Three - 36
Fou r - 16
Five+ - 22
None - 80
13. Displaced Family
Fire-wind- flood - 11
Condemnation - govt. - !
Eviction -
Other - 1
No - 206
■ 10
24
69
14. Disabled- (Job/Serv)
No - 170
Yes - 50
15. Handicapped
No - 216
Disease - 1
Birth Defect -
Accident - 1
Other - 2
16. Social Services
No - 184
Yes - 36
17. Social Security
No - 155
Yes - 64
18. Military- Family Head
Present - 1
Hon Dis, not disabl - 42
Hon Dis, disabl - 2
Not hon dis, not dis -
Not hon dis, disabl -
No military service - 173
Other - 2
19. Average Family Income - $4,183.00
20. Building Evaluation
Excellent - 9
Good - 56
Fair - 88
Deteriorated - 54
Dilapidated - 13
21. Total Interviews: 221
70
Area 6 is in the southwestern section of the town bounded by the railroad
tracks on the east and north, Woodside Drive, Vepco Avenue, and a ditch on the
west, and the extraterritorial jurisdictional area limit on the south. Commerce
is located on Washington Street, the by-pass, and U. S. 17 south. A shopping
center is planned in the area. Some light industry is zoned in the area.
E. J. Hayes Junior High School is located in Area 6. The rest of the area
is zoned residential
Unpaved streets are scattered throughout the residential area. The
northern most block of Andrews Street, Hyman Street, Missouri Street, the
northern most block of Faulk Street, Skinner Street, the northern most block
of Morrison Street, Gentry Street, Susie Street, one block of Peele Street,
Critcher Street, Canal Street, Dodge Street, the northern most block of
Perry Street, Taylor Avenue, Cedar Land, and streets at the country club are
all unpaved.
Low education is dominant in all residential areas north of the by-pass
As a survey team, we had very little trouble in Area 6. Breaking and enter-
ing was reported on Washington Street and juvenile complaints were reported
in all residential areas north of the by-pass last year. One case of VD
was reported on Carolina Avenue and one on Faulk Street last year. Two
cases of tuberculosis were reported in Area 6 last year. One on Skinner
Street and one on Faulk Street. Three illegitimate births were reported here
last year. One was on Morrison Street, one on Peele Street, and one on
Critcher Street.
A 167 acre potential light industrial site is located just outside the
city limits on U.S. 17 south in Area 6. Area 6 is served by six and eight
inch water lines.
71
One hundred eighty- seven full interviews were taken in Area 6. Twenty-
two Code 50 houses were listed in the area. Substandard living conditions
exist in 80.2% of the houses interviewed, but in only 71.8% of the total
number of houses. Sixty- five houses have cold water only inside the house.
Nine houses have cold water only outside and one house has no water. One
house only has an outside shower and sixty houses have no bath tub or shower.
Ten houses have only an outdoor privy and one house has no toilet. Sinks are
located outside at four houses and nine houses have no sink. Two houses have
no stove. Heating is very bad in this area. Only 39 houses have adequate-
safe heating while one house has adequate- unsafe heating, 111 have inadequate-
safe and 33 have inadequate-unsafe. Sixty- three percent of the houses given
the complete interview were rated deteriorated or delapidated.
Of the 187 families given the interview, 30 own their house, 47 are
buying, 94 are renting a house, 3 rent an apartment, 1 rents a room, and 12
rent a duplex. Forty- eight percent of the families in Area 6 live in three
or four room houses while forty- two percent live in five or six room houses.
Sixty percent of the houses are one or two bedroom houses and forty percent
are three or four bedroom houses. There are 13 houses in which two families
live and five houses in which four families live.
Nineteen adults live in houses alone and thirty adult couples live alone.
There are 42 houses with children and one adult and 73 houses with children
and two adults. Six houses have more than two adults in a family with
children living in them; there are no family groups with more than two adults
and no children in Area 6. There are twelve non- family groups living in houses
in Area 6.
72
Eighteen families in Area 6 have been displaced - 10 by fire, wind, or
flood, 3 by condemnation of the house by the government, 3 by eviction, and
two for other reasons. Fifty-nine families have at least one member disabled
and 34 have at least one member handicapped - 33 by disease, one by accident.
Sixty-one families receive social service assistance and sixty receive social
security assistance. One family head is presently in the service and 23 have
been. Three of these men were disabled when discharged. One hundred fifty-
eight family heads have no military background.
The average income in Area 6 is $3,861.00 per year and the averate rent
is $61.00 per month.
73
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE
Summer, 1972
Williams ton, North Carolina
1. Occupancy
Owner - 30
Buying - 47
Rent House - 94
Rent Apt. - 3
Rent Room - 1
Other - 12
2. Water Source
Municipal - 182
Well - 4
None - 1
Other -
3. Water- Dwelling
H&C insd-prvt - 112
H&C insd mltifmly -
C only- insd-prvt -- 64
C only insd-mltifmly - 1
C only outsd-prvt - 9
C only outsd-mltifmly -
Other - 1
4. Bath/ Shower
Insd-indvd - 126
Insd-mltifmly -
Outsd-indvd - 1
Outsd-mltifmly -
None - 60
Other -
5. Sewage Disposal
Flush tlet- town- indv - 176
Flush tlet- town- shared -
Flush tlet-sptc tnk indvd -
Flush tlet-sptc tnk shrd -
Privy outside- shared - 10
Privy outside- indvd --
Other - 1
6. Sink-Operating
Insd-indvd - 174
Insd- shared -
Outsd indvd -4
Outsd shared -
Other - 9
Area
# 6
Stove- Operating
Indvd - 185
Shared -
None - 1
Other - 1
Heat- Living Areas
Adeqt-safe - 39
Adeqt- unsafe - 1
Inadeqt-safe - 111
Inadeqt-unsaf e - 33
Total Rooms Bedrooms
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven+
1
5
29
61
43
35
18
93
61
11
10. Average Rent w/Utilities $61.00
11. Family Comp.
1 adlt-no chid - 19
1 adlt-w/chld - 42
2 adlt-no chid - 30
2 adlt-w/chld - 73
2+adlt fmly grp-no chid -
2+adlt fmly grp-w/chld - 6
2+adlt non-fmly grp - 12
Other -
12. Number of Children
One - 33
Two - 27
Three - 24
Four - 15
Five+ - 25
None - 58
13. Displaced Family
Five-wind- flood - 10
Condemnation-govt . - 3
Eviction - 3
Other - 2
No - 164
74
14. Disabled- (Job/Serv)
No - 123
Yes - 59
15. Handicapped
No - 148
Disease - 33
Birth Defect -
Accident - 1
Other - 1
18. Military- Family Head
Present - 1
Hon dis, not disabl - 20
Hon dis, disabl - 3
Not hon dis, not disabl -
Not hon dis, disabl -
No military service - 158
Other -
19. Average Family Income - $3,861.00
16. Social Services
No - 120
Yes - 61
17. Social Security
No - 122
Yes - 60
20. Building Evaluation
Excellent - 9
Good - 24
Fair - 31
Deteriorated - 36
Dilapidated - 87
21. Total Interviews: 187
75
Area 7 is on the southwestern section of the town, bounded by Main Street
and U. S. 64 West on the north, the extraterritorial jurisdictional area on
the west and Vepco Avenue, Woodside Drive and a ditch on the south and east.
The County Home is located on U. S. 64 West in Area 7. Commerce is located
on the by-pass and on Main Street at the city limits. The rest of Area 7 is
zoned one family residential. A fifteen acre potential light industrial zone
is on U. S. 64 West in Area 7 and another light industrial zone twenty acres
is located just outside of Area 7 on U. S. 64 West.
The educational level of the people in Area 7 is high. No crime has been
reported here in the past year. No communicable diseases or illegitimate
births were reported in this area last year* Area 7 is served by six inch
water lines.
Only four full interviews were performed in Area 7. One hundred forty-
four Code 50 houses were listed here. Nineteen people are listed who live in
the County Home. Two of the four houses interviewed are substandard. Both of
these houses have cold water outside only, no bath tub or shower, and no
toilet. One of these houses has no sink and the other has inadequate but safe
heating. Both houses were rated delapidated.
Of the four people interviewed, one owns his house, one rents his house,
one lives in an apartment that is given him as a fringe benefit for his job,
and another is a tenant farmer. One family lives in each of the four houses.
Two of the families consist of two adults with no children and two families
consist of two adults with children. One family lives in a three room house;
two families live in a four room house; and one family lives in a five room
house. There is one bedroom in two houses; two houses with two bedrooms; and
one house with three bedrooms.
76
None of the families have been displaced. No family member of any of
the four families is disabled or handicapped. One family receives social
service assistance while none of the families receive social security. One
of the family heads has served in the military.
Only one family answered the income and rent questions. Its income is
$1,000.00 per year and its rent is $30.00 per month.
77
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE
Summer, 1972
Williams ton, North Carolina
1 . Occupancy
Owner - 1
Buying -
Rent House - 1
Rent Apt. -
Rent Room -
Other - 2
2. Water Source
Municipal - 2
Well - 2
None -
Other -
3. Water- Dwelling
H&C insd-prvt - 2
H&C insd miltifmly -
C only- insd-prvt -
C only insd-mltifmly -
C only outsd-prvt - 2
C only outsd-mltifmly -
Other -
4. Bath/ Shower
Insd-indvd - 2
Insd-mltifmly -
Outsd-indvd -
Outsd-mltifmly -
None -2
Other -
5. Sewage Disposal
Flush tlet- town-indvd - 2
Flush tlet- town shared -
Flush tlet-sptc tnk indvd -
Flush tlet-sptc tnk shared
Privy outside- shared -
Privy outside - indvd -
Other - 2
6. Sink-Operating
Insd-indvd - 3
Insd- shared -
Outsd indvd -
Outsd shared -
Other - 1
Area
# 7
7.
Stove- Operating
Indvd -
4
Shared -
■
None -
Other -
8.
Heat- Living Areas
Adeqt-safe - 3
Adeqt-unsafe ••
Inadeqt-
■safe - 1
Inadeqt-
■unsafe - 1
9.
Total 1
looms Bedrooms
One
2
Two
1
Three
1 1
Four
2
Five
1
Six
Seven+
10.
Average
Rent w/Utiliti
11.
Family <
3omp .
$31.00
1 adlt-no chid -
1 adlt-w/chld -
2 adit - no chid - 2
2 adlt-w/chld - 2
2+adlt fmly grp-no chid -
2+adlt fmly grp-w/chld -
2+adlt non-fmly grp -
Other -
12. Number of Children
One - 1
Two -
Three -
Four -
Five-f- -
None - 2
13. Displaced Family
Five-wind- flood -
Condemnation- govt -
Eviction -
Other -
No - 4
78
14. Disabled- (Job/Serv)
No - 4
Yes -
15. Handicapped
No - 4
Disease -
Birth Defect -
Accident -
Other -
16. Social Services
No - 3
Yes - 1
17. Social Security
No - 4
Yes -
18. Military- Family Head
Present -
Hon dis, not disabl - 1
Hon dis, disabl -
Not hon dis, not disabl -
Not hon dis, disabl -
No military service - 3
Other -
19. Average Family Income - $1,000.00
20. Building Evaluation
Excellent - 1
Good -
Fair - 1
Deteriorated -
Delapidated - 2
21. Total Interviews: 4
79
Area 8 is in the northwestern section of town bounded by Main Street and
U. S. 64 West on the south, the extraterritorial jurisdictional area on the
west and north, and by an imaginary line extending northward from the inter-
section of Main Street and the railroad tracks. This is an upper income white
area. There are no dirt roads in Area 8. On Main Street at the city limits,
there is some neighborhood commerce. At the western end of the area outside
the city limits are large areas of light and heavy industrial zoning. At
the northwestern quadrant of the intersection of McCasky Road and the railroad
track is a 36 acre potential heavy industrial site and a 20 acre site is just
west of Area 8 on U. S. 64 South. The rest of Area 8 is a one- family residential
The people in this area are well educated. There has been no crime in
Area 8 in the past year. No communicable diseases or illegitimate children
were reported here in the past year. Area 8 is served by six inch water lines.
Eight full interviews were taken in this area. Two hundred Code 50
houses were listed in Area 8. Of the eight houses interviewed, three are
substandard. Two of these were because the heating in the house is inadequate
but safe. The other house that is substandard is because it only has cold
water, no bath tub or shower, and anoutside privy. These same three houses
were rated deteriorated or delapidated.
Only one of the eight families interviewed owns their home while four
rent houses and three rent apartments. One family lives in a seven room
house, two in a six room house, two in a five room house, and three in a
four room house. Five houses have two bedrooms, and there is one house for
each of the following number of bedrooms: one, three, and four. Two
families are composed in each of the following classifications : 1 adult,
no children; 1 adult with children; 2 adults, no children; and 2 adults with
children.
80
None of the eight families interviewed in Area 8 have been displaced. In
two families there is at least one family member who is disabled and none of
the families have handicapped members. Three families are assisted by
social security. No family in Area 8 receives social service assistance. Only
one family head has served in the military.
The average income of the eight families interviewed in Area 8 is
$4,200.00 per year and the average rent is $77.00 per month.
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE
Summer, 1972
Williams ton, North Carolina
1 . Occupancy
Owner - 1
Buying -
Rent house - 4
Rent apt. - 3
Rent room -
Other -
2. Water Source
Municipal - 4
Well - 4
None -
Other -
3. Water- Dwelling
H&C insd-prvt - 7
H&C insd mltifmly -0
C only- insd-prvt - 1
C only insd-mltifmly -
C only outsd-prvt -
C only outsd-mltifmly -
Other -
4. Bath/ Shower
Insd-indvd - 7
Insd-mltifmly -
Outsd-indvd -
Outsd-mltifmly -
None - 1
Other - 1
5. Sewage Disposal
Flush tlet-town indvd - 6
Flush tlet-town shared -
Flush tlet-sptc tnk indvd ■
Flush tlet-sptc tnk shared
Privy outside- shared - 1
Privy outside- indvd -
Other - o
6. Sink- Operating
Insd-indvd - 8
Insd- shared -
Outsd indvd -
Outsd shared -
Other -
Area
Stove-
Operating
Indvd
- 8
Shared
-
None -
Other
-
Heat -I
iving Areas
Adeqt-
safe - 6
Adeqt-
unsafe -
Inadeq
t-safe -
2
Inadeqt- unsafe
-
Total
Rooms
Bedrooms
One
1
Two
5
Three
1
Four
3
1
Five
2
Six
2
Seven+
1
10. Average Rent w/Utilities - $78.00
1 1 . Fami ly Comp .
1 adlt-no chid - 2
1 adlt-w/chld - 2
2 adlt-no chid - 2
2 adlt-w/chld - 2
2+adlt fmly grp-no chid -
2+adlt fmly grp-w/chld -
2+adlt non-fmly grp -
Other -
12. Number of Children
One - 1
Two -
Three - 1
Four -
Five+ - 2
None - 4
13. Displaced Family
Fire-wind- flood -
Condemnation-govt -
Eviction -
Other -
No - 8
82
14. Disabled- ( Job /Serv)
No - 6
Yes - 2
15. Handicapped
No - 8
Disease -
Birth Defect -
Accident -
Other -
16. Social Services
No - 8
Yes -
17. Social Security
No - 5
Yes - 3
18. Military- Family Head
Present -
Hon dis , not disabl - 1
Hon dis, disabl -
Not hon dis, not disabl -
Not hon dis, disabl -
No military service = 6
Other -
19. Average Family Income - $4,200.00
20. Building Evaluation
Excellent - 3
Good -
Fair - 3
Deteriorated - 1
Dilapidated - 2
21. Total Interviews: 9
83
J+*
>»
^cuiaoNs ANcv
\
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The Neighborhood Analysis is to be used in the planning for Williams ton.
It is an important element in any such planning because it deals with the
people and their neighborhood problems - not long-range proposals that can be
conveniently put off for later years. These problems are urgent and must be
resolved at the earliest date possible. Some problems, needless to say,
cannot be solved in a week, a year, or even a decade. Yet, even these
problems' solutions must be started on today. It is the objective of the
Neighborhood Analysis to provide the data which shows the extent of these
problems and to give recommendations for the solutions to these problems. Its
implementation should be related to the overall plans and goals, however, in
order that the best and most efficient results for the most possible people
can be achieved.
Recommended Treatment for Entire Planning Area
Certain items should be undertaken for the planning area as a whole.
Other items should be centered around each specific study area. The next
items should be considered as recommendations and goals for the entire
planning area.
One of the first goals of the town should be the paving of every street
within the city limits of Williamston. Each street should also have the proper
curbing and guttering.
Along the same line, the town should approve and begin work at once upon
a thoroughfare plan. This plan should include a northern by-pass in order to
prevent trucks from having to drive through the middle of Williamston.
87
Another recommendation would be the provision of recreational centers in
at least every inspection area. These centers should be modeled by the program
established at the Williamston Junior Police Club. Each center should have
the proper supervision.
In the area of fire protection, the first recommendation would be the
hiring of a full-time fire chief. In addition, the size of the water lines
should be increased. At the present, the water lines are not large enough to
provide the necessary water and pressure to put out a major fire.
Williamston is in great need of industries to provide jobs, It must be
careful, however, in its selection of industry, These industries should
provide well-paying jobs. They should not be industries that pollute the
air or the water.
There seems to be a lack of knowledge, among the public at large, of
information concerning birth control and venereal disease. The Martin
County Health Department should provide a comprehensive educational program
concerning venereal disease. There should be an adult program as well as
a program through the public schools. In addition, the Health Department
should make available birth control information as well as devices to anyone
who desires them.
The town should make an effort to preserve any remaining historic
landmarks. It should assist in the saving of Fort Branch.
A concerted effort should be made to beautify the downtown commercial
district. Otherwise, the downtown businesses will suffer when the proposed
shopping center is built.
88
Improvement in the housing condition of Williamston is badly needed.
Much could be gained just by improving the rental housing by bringing them
up to standard. Perhaps what is needed most is large apartmental housing.
Excluding the housing projects, there are very few apartments in Williamston,
Home-owning should be made easier to low and middle income families by
providing low interest loans to people who would otherwise be unable to
obtain loans. In addition, ways should be made available for middle- income
blacks to get housing outside of low income areas.
Vacant lots should be cleared of all unsightly debris. They should be
kept cut, also. All open ditches within the residential areas of town
should be closed in.
These recommendations and conclusions if noted and followed through
with, will make Williamston a better city for its residents and a more
attractive city for people who might move into the area.
89
r
K.
T
'.
RECOMMENDED TREATMENT BY AREA
Area 1
Area 1 needs little improvement. Housing should be improved on Ormand
Street, Roanoke Street, and Henderson Street. Five unpaved streets should be
paved. The missing segment of Church Street between School Drive and Biggs
Street should be made and paved. Church Street should be extended to
Moratock Park. An intensive program directed at educating the residents of
the housing project about birth control and venereal disease.
Area 2
Area 2 needs a recreational center near what is known as "Doodle Hill."
The housing there, as well as some black areas between Haughton and Broad
Streets, needs to be brought up to standard. Parts of Rhodes and Mulberry
Street need paving. Efforts should be made to help the people own their own
homes in this area. Something must be done to res true t the area of the
cemetary . It presently sprawls over an irregular area. Integration of
economic classes would be desirable in this area, but would be somewhat
infeasible at present.
Area 3
Area 3 is basically sound. Harrell Street and Hat ton Street should be
paved. A recreational area is desperately needed in this area. Housing
needs to be brought up to standard on East Main Street.
93
Area 4
Area 4 is in great need of improvement. The housing is substandard
throughout much of the area. More housing projects is perhaps the only
answer at the present since few could afford their own homes and since so
many landlords have dragged their feet about improving their rental property.
The paving of New Street, Hunter Street, Tank Street, and Railroad Street is
recommended. Information about venereal disease and birth control should be
distributed. Job training is needed in this area. This area should be one
of the first to be treated for improvement since its needs are so desperate.
Area 5
Area 5 is probably the best area for an attempt to get people to own their
own homes. This area is better off economically than Area , yet still has
a lot of substandard rental housing. Efforts to standardize this housing
would probably meet with better success since some have already began
improvements. Lanier, Hanes, Gurganus, and parts of Hamilton and Franklin
Streets need paving. New Avenue needs only curbing and guttering. A crash
program for the residents' education about birth control and venereal disease
is needed due to the high instances of venereal disease and illegitimacy
during the past year.
Area 6
Area 6 is being improved now. All poor sections are in a Neighborhood
Development (NDP) area. The NDP has not yet started so it is hard to judge
what will be needed. Several middle class blacks live in this area and are
unable to get out of the area because of housing prejudices. Something
should be done to remedy this.
94
All dirt streets in the area should be paved. Information concerning
birth control and venereal disease is needed in this area. This area should
be the first priority for improvement.
Area 7
Area 7 is in good shape. Unpaved streets should be paved and a
recreational area should be cleared.
Area 8
Area 8 needs the least improvement. Some houses on McGasky Road need
improving . A recreational area is needed, but there is no vacant land to
put it on.
95
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